Kent County's mental health network names new executive director

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A health care executive from Owosso has been named the new executive director of network180, the mental health agency for Kent County.

Scott Gilman, the former chief executive officer of the Shiawasssee County Community Mental Health Agency, will succeed Paul Ippel, who led network180 for 10 years.

The agency includes 160 employees who arrange health care services through a provider network for 25,000 people a year. It serves those with developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse disorders, as well as community-based services for children and families.

"We are thrilled to bring Scott’s vision, passion and experience to network180,” Brian Chisholm, network180 board chairman said in a statement. “Paul Ippel is leaving network180 in a solid position of strength, which will allow Scott to hit the ground running to continue that legacy of success.”

Gilman, who lives in Auburn, is a licensed social worker and has a master's degree in administration. In Owosso, he directed a $15 million publicly managed health care organization for Shiawassee County, between Lansing and Flint.

He is the recipient of a 2011 Point of Light award from the Shiawassee Human Service Coalition.